This week we enjoy some great viewing all-round. Without a doubt, we are spoilt with a number of amazing predator sightings and amongst them, we have a few phenomenal sightings of the Nhlanguleni Cubs. The Leopards of Londolozi feature strongly with a good mix of both males and females going about their daily business. Whether it be resting on termite mounds, climbing trees, sleeping in trees, or the little cubs perched on a few boulders.
A stunning Martial Eagle and Verreaux’s Eagle Owl feature in this week’s picks. Let’s not forget the elephants crossing the river, newborn giraffe, young monkey in a tree or massive hippo bull about to yawn and show us his formidable weaponry.
Let us know your favourite image in the comments section below.
Enjoy this Week in Pictures…
One of the Nhlanguleni Female’s young cubs cautiously peeked around the bushes with the afternoon sun creating a beautiful glow around its ears.
The noble Martial Eagle. Named for the Roman God of War this eagle sports a 2.4m (7.8ft) wingspan, 5cm long talons and has been known to break a man’s arm! It is a seriously impressive bird.
Mothering is thirsty work. A Ntsevu Lioness stops for a drink on her way back to her den to feed the little ones.
We could not believe our luck when we checked in on the Nhlanguleni Female’s den site and this little cub was resting perfectly on the rocks out in the open!
Initially skittish she spent a lot of time in the Sand River, now relaxed she makes up the majority of leopard viewing west of camp.
A small herd of elephants crosses the Sand River.
After an afternoon spent patrolling and marking her territory, the Ximungwe Female rests on a termite mound before nightfall.
Having been viewed by vehicles from an early age, this leopard is supremely relaxed around Land Rovers.
A big yawn from the soon-to-be-independent Ximungwe Young Male.
After hearing the frantic alarm calls of a flock of Grey Go-Away birds we soon found the culprit. A Verreaux’s Eagle Owl perched out in the open that allowed us to walk within a few metres of it to get a few daytime pictures of it.
The Ximungwe Young Male stares straight toward our vehicle. Before this photograph was taken this young male leopard was robbed of his impala kill by one of the Ndhzenga male lions. The Ximungwe Young Male then found safety on top of a termite mound where we managed to get a few stunning portraits of him.
A single cub of the Ximungwe Female's second litter. Initially rather skittish but is very relaxed now. Birth mark in his left eye.
Trailing behind the rest of the herd of elephants, this large female then ambles through the water with a stunning dark backdrop of dense vegetation.
The Ximungwe Young Male ascending a Marula tree at sunrise. We left camp early one morning to head straight towards the area where this young male and his mother had an impala kill the night before. We sat patiently as the sun rose above the horizon. Fortunately, just before it got too late to capture “the shot”, the young male decided to climb up into the tree to begin feeding. What an unbelievable scene.
A young monkey stares curiously at us from a nearby tree.
Following a male lion on a patrol is always exhilarating. One of the Ndzhenga Males marches down the road towrads our vehicle allowing for this great front-on shot.
A very young giraffe stares across at the vehicle from beneath its mother’s legs. Upon having a closer look you can notice the umbilical cord still attached to its belly.
With late winter rains, there are still waterlogged areas with some unseasonal green grass that provided a great contrast with the Senegal Bush Male’s golden coat.
Initially seen as a young male in 2016, this leopard only properly established territory on Londolozi in mid-2019
Draped over the branches of a large tree the Ximungwe Female’s face was lit up by the late afternoon sun.
One of the Ndzhenga Males looking slightly battered and bruised watches a herd of impala in the distance as one of the males chases a female around.
A very inquisitive slender mongoose climbs a tree very near to the vehicle. Normally secretive and shy animals, it was great to get such a close view in the open.
A hippo bull gears up to display his weaponry.
June’s TWIP Photographer Winner…
Thank you to all of you who voted for your favourite images throughout the month of June on our blog and as well as Instagram – we have a winner… Our TWIP Photography competition happens over the course of every month and relies on your votes – our blog and social media followers. The winner of every month gets to draw a prize/voucher out of a hat for all the energy, patience, skill and passion they needed in order to get “the shot“. We are thrilled to keep sharing some amazing photographic content with you every week. Make sure to vote every week for your favourite picture.
Now onto the winner for June – Congratulations to Robbie Ball.
One of the Nhlaguleni Female’s cubs stole people’s hearts in the competition and I don’t blame them, these cubs have provided some fantastic viewing over the last little while and Robbie was lucky enough to witness this youngster resting on a branch staring down at the vehicle.
“The Ximungwe Young Male ascending a Marula tree at sunrise.” This to me, is the shot of the week. Closely followed by the inquisitive look on the face of “One of the Nhlanguleni Female’s young cubs cautiously peeked around the bushes with the afternoon sun creating a beautiful glow around its ears.” Beautiful.
Fabulous TWIP again – especially Dan’s one of the Ximungwe young male climbing the tree at sunrise, Barry’s one of the Verreaux eagle owl (how lucky to see it in the open during daylight hours) and my winner is Kyle’s one of the Nhlanguleni cub on the rocks….incredibly cute!
Thank you so much, Suzanne. Those are all some great images.
Lots of fantastic photos to choose from! Going with the one that grabbed the most oohs and aahs in our household, the Nhlanguleni cub resting on the boulder is the winner! Great shots by everyone! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Darlene. The photo of the Nhlanguleni Cub is a fantastic one.
So hard to choose the best shot from so many stunning photos. The Ximungwe Young Male climbing the marula tree is my pick closely followed by the quintessential shot of the Verreaux’s Eagle Owl.
Thank you so much, Jennifer. It is such a fantastic shot of the silhouetted leopard climbing the marula.
Has anyone seen or heard anything about the Tsalala female of late?
Hi Johanna, yes the Tsalala Female has been seen a couple of times along the Sand River.
For me the shot of the week is the Ximungwe young male at sunrise. Classic pictures to cap off TWIP. Thanks to everyone for there patients and participation in TWIP.
Thank you so much, William. It is a great shot of the Ximungwe Young Male.
I’m loving the Ximungwe Young Male with his big yawn! If you had not said it was a yawn I would have thought it was big growl! The pic of the baby giraffe is very precious, too!
Thank you so much, Debra. It is a great shot of the yawn.
The shot of the week for me is Barry’s cub, looking at the vehicle, the sun providing a halo around his ears. Every photo presented is special but this captured my imagination. The other special image for me was the slender mongoose, it’s head in sharp focus to highlight the eye. Excellent shots everyone!
Thank you so much, Denise. Photography is great because every image has a story and you can let your imagination run wild sometimes.
Sean my favorite foto this week is the baby giraffe with the umbilical cord still attached to it. So beautiful and protected by Mom nearby. All the foto’s this week very absolutely stunning especially the leopard cubs. Congrats Robbie your foto was stunning of the little cub resting on a branch. Very special foto indeed.
Thank you so much, Valmai. Baby giraffes are always so cute and steal everyone’s hearts.
Great selection once again this week!
Thank you so much, Michael.
Tremendous photogrphy–particularly the 2 silhouettes. I’m a softie, however. Love the Nhlanguleni Female’s young cub.
Thank you so much, Vin. The silhouette shots are great but think the cub takes the cake.
Which photo do I like best?
All of them, though actually the leopard cubs are again sooo cute.
But also the hippo, the battered lion and the young giraffe and especially the owl and the slender mongoose are such interesting photos.
Thank you so much, Christa. Leopard cubs are always so cute and tend to get lots of votes.
Spectacular pictures! It’s so difficult to choose… all gorgeous. I can’t pickup one maybe the leopard cub, the baby giraffe and the Ximungwe young male. The hippo is great as well
My favorite photo is “Mothering is thirsty work”. I think it shows the incredible power of that lioness.
Mothering is indeed thirsty work.
Well Sean, you’ve set the bar very , very high this week. Some of these are photos of a lifetime .
Thank you so much, Ian. These photos this week are great.
Sean, Fabulous images this week! Our favorite is the Ximungwe Young Male in B&W! Detail in the eye is really great!
Thank you so much, Michael and Terri.
Oh my goodness…..between active young male leopards, and tiny adorable little leopard cubbies, Londolozi has been blessed with gorgeous sightings lately!
The sightings of late have truly been magnificent.